The Rudder Family Needs Our Support

On August 4, 2023, Laura and Robert Rudder took their 11-year old daughter, Kathryn, to the ER thinking she had a stomach bug and sinus infection. It was then that their entire world was flipped upside down. Kathryn was admitted into the hospital for what ended up being 28 days. Each new day was a roller coaster of emotions as medical professionals struggled to diagnosis Kathryn. Her lungs were filled with infection and her blood production was being attacked. Since being home, Kathryn has had to go back into the hospital multiple times to drain fluid from her lungs. She has already experienced 34 days in the hospital. Through the power of prayer, medicine, and technology, Kathryn is continuing to push through each day. However, the battle is not over.

Kathryn has since been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome MDS7, a type of blood cancer (leukemia). In the coming weeks, Kathryn will undergo one week of intense chemo treatment followed by a bone marrow transplant. She will be in isolation for about 4-6 weeks during this upcoming hospital stay, to ensure that the bone marrow transplant works, and to minimize her risk of infection.

Praise the Lord, Kathryn and her family have a wonderful support system made up of family and friends. However, this next battle is just beginning and the bills have been stacking. We are asking for 3 things:

FINANCIAL SUPPORT: Would you partner with Kathryn’s parents financially? As if the financial stress of hospital bills wasn't enough already, Robert was just let go from his job as COO of a gym in New Orleans. The hospital bills have already started piling up from her first hospital stay, and Kathryn has another road still ahead. Let's ease their financial burden so they can focus solely on emotionally supporting Kathryn in the coming weeks and months.

PRAYER: Would you partner with Kathryn and her family in prayer? Pray for complete healing of Kathryn’s body. Pray for a peace that transcends all understanding for her and her family. Pray for Kathryn's sister, Addison, as she processes being separated from her sister and parents again for yet another long hospital stay. Pray that the Lord would use Kathryn and this story for His glory.

SHARE: We believe in the power of prayer. We have already seen the Lord answer so many prayers since August, and we are believing He will continue to do so. Please share Kathryn's story so we can have more people praying for her.

James 5:14-15

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.

Thank you for hearing Kathryn’s story and considering praying and/or supporting them financially. The Rudder's are extremely selfless people and have been hesitant to ask for support, but we know that we can rally around them and truly be the hands and feet of Jesus during this time of crisis for them. We will be sharing updates on this page throughout Kathryn's upcoming journey.